The smell inside Paul and Carol Farnsworth's home was so strong RSPCA struggled to breath and found their eyes watering, a court heard

A father and daughter kept rabbits, dogs and budgies in such squalor RSPCA inspectors struggled to breath when they visited their home, a court has heard.

Officers had been called to Paul and Carol Farnsworth’s home in Salford after reports of a dog attack.

Inside they found eight rabbits, seven dogs and a puppy, three dead rabbits, two budgies and a cat.

The smell of the 'filthy' home was so strong inspectors found their eyes watering and it was difficult to breath, Bury magistrates court was told.

Paul, 61, and Carol, 24, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the needs of animals were met and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

They were sentenced to a six-month community order and banned from owning animals for two years.

The court was told the RSPCA was first called to reports of a ‘dull and depressed’ pony with a hoof condition at Heaton Park in June 2012.

Anna McDonald, prosecuting, said police and the society then visited the house in February last year after reports of a dog bite.

She said: “As soon as the door opened the inspectors could smell a foul odour coming from inside the property.

“The house was in a filthy state and the smell of faeces and ammonia was so extreme that it made the inspectors’ eyes water and their breathing became uncomfortable.”

Floors were ‘littered’ with rabbit faeces, two budgies were in a ‘small, dirty’ cage and the bodies of a white rabbit and two other rabbits were found on a wheelie bin. Dogs ‘described as ‘matted and dirty’ were also discovered.

A vet confirmed the animals ‘were at risk’ due to the conditions and a German shepherd called Simba was later put down.

Asim Ali, defending, said: “There is no intention for them to purchase, control or look after any animals again.”

The animals and a black Shetland pony called Merlin are now in RSPCA care, Bury magistrates court heard.